Carolina, Clemson athletes team up for good cause

University of South Carolina's running back Marcus Lattimore and Clemson University's former quarterback Woody Dantzler teamed up to help raise funds for the Salvation Army's Boys and Girls Club of Greenville County.

More than 100 people attended the True Grit Fundraiser Dinner at the Kroc Center in Greenville.

Earlier in the day, children had the opportunity to play football with the star athletes. Proceeds from that event will support local Little Leagues.

"It's home, first of all. And, I love being at home. It's just a great opportunity. I love being around kids and I love putting a smile on their face. And, if I can do that through a camp, I'm going to do it," Lattimore said.

Lattimore, who will enter the NFL draft next month, said he gave the children some advice. He told them in life, football shouldn't be the most important thing.

"It starts with academics. You can't do anything in life if you don't graduate high school and get your college degree," Lattimore said.

Lattimore suffered what many thought would be a career-ending knee injury last October.

"I believe in myself and that's what you got to start with...The things I have been through have made me stronger, that's all it does. It makes me mentally stronger. It's going to make be a better football player," Lattimore explained.

Dantzler, who graduated from Clemson in 2001, laughed as he recalled watching the children as they came up to him to get his autograph.

"They have absolutely no clue who I am," Dantzler said. "They come over and start asking questions... their eyes light up," he explained.

"God gave me this platform to show them there's more to life than what they can see with their eyes," Dantzler said.

When asked what advice Dantzler had for Lattimore as the draft approaches, he said, "Keep God first. It's a game, but, more so it's a business."

Dantzler is now working in pharmaceutical sales.

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For the second-straight season, SEC Champion South Carolina hauled in four of the six individual awards, adding three first-team, one second-team and one defensive team entry in the coaches’ vote for SEC awards announced by the league office today.